15 Easy and Healthy Thanksgiving Appetizers (2024)

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Gosh, how time flies! We’re already seeing the beauty of fall coming in, with our kitchens smelling like infamous fall desserts such as pumpkin pie and apple crisps. But besides the cooler temperatures and colorful leaves, you know what else is coming up? Thanksgiving, of course!

Who can forget the scrumptious spread we lay out during turkey day? From the delicious turkey down to rich Thanksgiving desserts, this is one day people always look forward to and are thankful for. That’s why it’s worth planning the feast ahead, starting with appetizers.

Leave a fantastic first impression with your loved ones as you serve a starter that will leave them wanting more when the main course arrives! We list down super easy and healthy Thanksgiving appetizers that anyone can make. With fewer calories and more nutrients, these recipes can fit everyone’s tastes and diets!

More delicious and healthy recipe ideas for you:

• 15 Easy Fall Dinner Recipes – Best Autumn Dinner Ideas
• 15 Easy Fall Desserts to Make this Season
• 15 Easy and Healthy Halloween Party Food for Adults
• 50 Easy Halloween Desserts To Bring To A Party

Pin this image on Pinterest so you can come back to these delicious and healthy Thanksgiving appetizers!

1. Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

If there’s one thing to be thankful for (other than the food and our loved ones), it has to be the Instant Pot in our kitchen. Its versatility and time-saving features make meals so much easier to do. Believe us when we say there are so many delicious and easy Instant Pot recipes to create with it, including this rich and creamy butternut squash soup.

This recipe is loaded with butternut squash, celery, carrots, caramelized onions, garlic, and even a Granny Smith apple for a slight tart flavor. All these equate to a soup filled with vitamins and minerals. The kids get their fix of veggies in without knowing!

2. Chickpea Shawarma Dip

Chickpeas are a nutrient-filled ingredient that offers a variety of health benefits thanks to the presence of crucial nutrients like calcium, fiber, magnesium, selenium, B vitamins, and more. Present chickpeas into your Thanksgiving appetizer through this tasty shawarma dip, putting a fine twist on hummus, another crowd favorite.

The recipe caters to many different diets, such as those who are vegan, vegetarian, or going gluten-free. It’s also simple and quick to prepare, taking only half an hour. Serve with fresh pita, chips, or more vegetables to add more nutrients to the appetizer!

3. Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Do you want to serve a vegetarian appetizer that has you look like you were slaving in the kitchen the entire day? These stuffed Portobello mushrooms will do just the trick.

Portobello mushrooms aren’t only a suitable appetizer to match your delicious stuffing, they are also considered a nutritional powerhouse and an excellent source of riboflavin, an important vitamin for energy. Plus, we love their meaty texture and intense flavor, which is why they make a stellar pairing with a creamy spinach filling (more vegetables!).

4. Healthy Pumpkin Soup

There’s no other feeling like a warm bowl of sweet pumpkin soup with savory undertones, giving guests that delightful balance that tickles anyone’s tastebuds. This appetizing recipe sets the mood for a deliciously festive feast ahead. Not only is it thick and hearty, but it’s also a nutritious starter filled with nutrients from unsweetened pumpkin puree and cauliflower.

That’s right, cauliflower! If you’ve got kids who skip the greens during dinner, the soup will give them a good helping of cauliflower. It’s filled with vitamin B, fiber, and phytonutrients that keep their minds and bodies healthy.

5. Vegan Pumpkin Ravioli

Ravioli is a unique appetizer that pasta lovers will love. What better way to share the Thanksgiving spirit than to make ravioli with pumpkins? Pumpkin can go beyond the usual pumpkin soup or pie for Christmas dessert, you can even incorporate it into your favorite pasta.

The recipe consists of wholesome ingredients that make it vegan-friendly. It isn’t a challenging recipe to follow, and you’d be surprised how uncomplicated the process of making ravioli is. Each bite is a burst of flavors and textures, from the perfect chewiness of the vegan ravioli dough, cheesiness from the pumpkin filling, and creaminess from the pumpkin sauce.

6. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

We mentioned hummus above, so we can’t leave it out of our list. However, you better watch out and warn your guests to save room for the main course because this hummus recipe is addicting, especially when paired with perfectly-cooked pita bread.

It has chickpeas and red peppers, both nutrient-dense ingredients that create fantastic color and texture for your appetizers. It takes only 25 minutes to whip up and serve, a better option than going for the store-bought stuff.

7. Blackened Shrimp Avocado Cucumber Bites

Let’s go for something a bit lighter and bite-sized with these avocado cucumber shrimp appetizers. It will fire up the tastebuds and have people readying their stomachs for the huge turkey coming up!

It’s also a wholesome recipe using nutrient-filled ingredients like shrimp, avocado, and cucumbers, all of which contain a good amount of vitamins and minerals. It’s also a low-calorie appetizer with only 50 calories per piece, catering to people following keto, low-carb, gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo diets.

8. Pumpkin, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Bruschetta

Now we’re getting fancier! If you want to dazzle your family and friends as this year’s Thanksgiving host, then level up your appetizers. This vegetarian recipe might look and sound complicated to make, but you’ll be surprised, as it takes only 30 minutes to complete.

All the ingredients go so well together, from the crisp sourdough bread down to the sweet pumpkin, sharp cheese, and earthy walnuts. It’s like a party in your mouth!

9. Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Get in your greens for the day without feeling like you did with this rich spinach and artichoke dip. While this dip may feel so heavy, it’s actually a “skinny” version of the popular appetizer. It uses less cheese, with the addition of Greek yogurt making the dip creamier with a bit of tanginess to it.

The large servings of spinach and artichokes make this dip even healthier, so the family can enjoy it without feeling too guilty for scooping a lot more on their bread or crackers!

10. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Mushrooms

This is another delectable stuffed mushroom recipe, this time using white mushrooms. It’s an ideal finger food that’s vegetarian-friendly, made with the two ingredients we consider soulmates: ricotta cheese and a large helping of spinach.

These stuffed mushrooms contain only 38 calories, so people can keep grabbing for more and still have enough in their stomachs for the next course!

11. Butternut Squash Hummus

There are numerous varieties of hummus, and you can make your favorite dip more on brand with the fall season by adding butternut squash. This vegan butternut squash hummus recipe packs in a lot of flavor and vitamins, with everyone wanting more!

Smooth, creamy, and 170 calories per serving, this is a terrific addition to your Thanksgiving feast, especially if you’re thinking of incorporating Mediterranean cuisine for a change.

12. Cheese Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Bites

Your family will beg for the recipe for these cheese spinach artichoke quinoa bites because of the cheesiness and bursts of flavor exploding in the mouth. This wholesome appetizer is good for adults and kids alike as it contains healthy ingredients like spinach and quinoa.

Quinoa is known for its high amount of dietary fiber, which helps with your fitness goals as you feel fuller when consuming it. Moreover, it’s a gluten-free and whole-grain carbohydrate containing all the essential amino acids, making it a source of protein, too.

13. Healthier Deviled Eggs

Include protein in your appetizer over fatty and carb-laden dishes with these yummy deviled eggs! Not only do you get protein from the eggs, but the Greek yogurt the recipe uses as a replacement for the usual mayo in other deviled egg recipes. No one will ever know the difference.

If you have no time to prep for appetizers but want to show off your skills in the kitchen this turkey day, follow this recipe. It only takes 25 minutes to complete and uses ingredients you most likely have in your fridge already. These can even make a light Thanksgiving breakfast!

14. Thanksgiving Party Board

This is a delight for the tastebuds and the eyes, with even children grabbing a bite of veggies from this adorable dish. Serve guests a “turkey” for their starter with a well-designed party board filled with colorful ingredients like carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, cauliflower, and radishes.

It requires no cooking, just some creativity, and a large board to place everything in. Don’t forget the edible googly eyes!

15. Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Besides the Instant Pot, slow cookers are yet another lifesaver in the kitchen, and this vegetarian-friendly mac and cheese recipe proves it! Mac and cheese don’t need to be an unhealthy, overly indulgent dish. Thanks to the butternut squash cheese sauce that makes this dish creamier without the added fat or calories.

Take advantage of butternut squash, the main ingredient for this recipe, and the secret to the sauce’s lovely texture. You and the family can reap the many health benefits of this infamous fall veggie, as it’s rich in crucial nutrients and antioxidants, namely potassium, fiber, beta-carotene, as well as vitamins C and E.